Graves Selected to Chair Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) released the following statement after being recommended by the Republican Steering Committee to continue serving as Chairman in the 119th Congress:

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves

“I am honored and humbled to be selected by my Steering Committee colleagues to serve as Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman for the 119th Congress. Over the last two years, our committee has worked hard to pass several major infrastructure bills, including the FAA Reauthorization Act and the Water Resources Development Act, and we have a golden opportunity to do much more in the next Congress."

“The Committee will hit the ground running in 2025. We will work with President Trump to advance his infrastructure priorities, develop the next long-term highway bill, and focus on fixing the real infrastructure that moves people and goods safely and efficiently throughout our country.”

Graves also noted that infrastructure has become a priority in Missouri during his tenure on the Committee, and he looks forward to seeing that continue.

“While I’ve been at the helm of the Committee, we’ve seen transformational infrastructure projects receive significant investment in Missouri, including the Buck O’Neil Bridge, the Lance Corporal Leon Deraps I-70 Missouri River Bridge at Rocheport, and the FARM Bridge program across North Missouri, as well as the prioritization of fixing lettered routes in our rural communities and the expansion of I-70. I look forward to working with Gov-elect Mike Kehoe, the Missouri Legislature, MoDOT, and my colleagues in the Missouri Congressional delegation to ensure that improving our infrastructure remains a top priority.”

Note: The House Republican Conference still must vote to approve the Steering Committee’s recommendations.

KPGZ News – Submitted press release.

Deputies to brighten Christmas for 40 children

Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies will help 40 deserving children have a fantastic holiday during their annual Shop with a Sheriff event Sunday.

Deputies will shop with the children Dec. 15 at the Wal-Mart at 8301 N. Church Rd., Kansas City, Mo. One half of the children will shop at 9 a.m., with the second half at 10 a.m. Families were identified to participate through counselors and social workers in North Kansas City Schools, where the Sheriff’s Office provides school resource deputies.

Each child will get $200 to purchase gifts for themselves and their loved ones. Sheriff’s Office volunteers will be on hand to wrap the gifts.

Shop with a Sheriff is funded by grants, public donations and donations that Sheriff’s Office employees make to be able to sport beards or small nose rings throughout the year. 

KPGZ News – Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Second Alleged Porch Pirate Arrested

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of the second suspect who is connected to porch pirate thefts that happened over Thanksgiving weekend and the weekend after.

Deputies located 41-year-old Matthew T. Robinson of Excelsior Springs

Deputies located 41-year-old Matthew T. Robinson of Excelsior Springs, in Independence on Wednesday, December 12.

Robinson charged with one count of felony theft and one count of felony possession of a controlled substance in connection to the package thefts of more than a dozen residences in Clay County. These are the same charges faced by his accomplice, 24-year-old Kayley Worthington.

Deputies served a search warrant at a house in Excelsior Springs in late November and recovered 51 stolen items valued at over $2,600, as well as methamphetamine. The thefts occurred in Liberty, Smithville and the Northland.

Detectives have now identified 12 victims, but many of the stolen items remain unclaimed. Clay County residents who had a package stolen are urged to make a report with their local police department.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Families Gain New Resource Guide for Supporting Children

Missouri families now have a new tool at their fingertips: a comprehensive resource guide designed to support parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 12.

This guide, developed in partnership by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and LifeCourse Nexus Training and Technical Assistance Center (UMKC Institute for Human Development), provides descriptions, links and phone numbers of various statewide resources and is organized by types of supports which are categorized as discovery and navigation, connecting and networking, and goods and services.

“Through many of our partners throughout the state, we are thrilled to provide Missouri families with this easy-to-use guide,” said Melanie Highland, director of the Division of Senior and Disability Services with DHSS. “Whether a family is looking for support for their child’s special health care needs, mental health resources or child care information, this guide connects them to resources that strengthen their support network.”

While the guide is useful for all families, it was targeted to assist Missouri families of children with special health care needs and disabilities, highlighting Missouri Family to Family and the Special Health Care Needs Family Partnership. Both programs provide free statewide services and are staffed by parents or family members of individuals with special health care needs or disabilities.

To access the guide online, visit Health.Mo.Gov/SHCN

KPGZ News – DHSS Press Release.

Bulldog Girls Dominate the Court in Home Opener

The Kearney Bulldog girls basketball team defeated the Shawnee Mission North Bison by a final score of 54–32 on Monday, Dec. 10. The Bulldogs scored first and never looked back in their home opener.

Brooke Paalhar scored 11 points on the night.

Kearney took a big lead in the first half and doubled the score at the end of the first and second quarters, 18–9 and 30–15, respectively.

The Bison defense didn't bother the Kearney girls. The Bulldogs were able to do a super job of taking care of the ball and executed on offense. Kearney did a great job playing a tough man to man defense throughout the game and handled anything Shawnee Mission threw at them, whether it was picking them up at half court or a full court 2-2-1 press.

Kearney showed a lot of depth during the game. Eight girls were able to play meaningful minutes throughout the night. They stayed with a man to man defense all night, and offensively found several open lanes for productive points.

The Kearney Bulldogs were led by Maggie Lakin with 16 points.

The Kearney Bulldogs were led by Maggie Lakin with 16 points. Brooke Paalhar had 11, Kennedi Casey added 8, Addie Taylor scored 9, Morgan Pennington had 3, Kayla wrestler scored 3, and Ryleigh Van Emmerik and Mallyrie Schwab-Wetzel both added 2 points.

Coach Resler was pleased with the team’s performance:

“They had no answer for Maggie early on so we just kept feeding her and if somebody else would have got hot we would do the same thing with them. Brooke hit a three…and then we ran that zone play when they switched to zone, [that got] her a wide open look, and unfortunately she missed it but she looked over and just kind of grinned because it was the most open look she had. So that's kind of what we do is try to feed the hand that's hot.”

The Bulldog girls are back in action at home on Tuesday, Dec. 17, as they play a double-header with the Bulldog boys against Grain Valley. KPGZ radio will carry the broadcast starting at 5 pm on 102.7FM and KearneyCountry.com.

KPGZ Sports – Brian Watts contributed to this story.